Love Love (24 page)

With a small gasp and a hoarse voice,
I strangle out a reply. “Will it be life-changing?”

He dangles his lips over mine. “Oh
yes, life as you know it will never be the same.”

My heart slams against my chest as his
mouth claims mine. His lips are warm and soft, his tongue gliding
across my bottom lip, caressing and teasing before sliding inside.
The taste of him awakens my senses. I feel his breath whisper to me
as he continues to explore my mouth, the wetness of our tongues
soaking each other and twirling about like vines dancing in the
wind. I reach up and slide my hands behind his neck, the strands of
his soft, silky hair tickling the space between my fingers as his
arms encircle my waist to deepen the kiss. When we finally pull
apart, breathless, he leans his forehead against mine.

“
I’ve been waiting my whole
life for your kiss.”

My pulse skyrockets at his words and
I’m not sure what possesses me, but I pull his mouth to mine again.
Sucking his bottom lip softly, my tongue traces the outline of his
lips before realizing we’re in public and pulling away. With Brad’s
hand in mine, we make our way over to view the lights of the Empire
State Building. He stands behind me again and wraps his arms around
my waist; I lean my head back against his shoulder and he dips down
to place a soft kiss to my temple. I could get used to
this.

It’s getting late. The stars in the
night sky and the darkness tell us that it’s time to head home,
though I can smell the hesitancy in the air. After what seems like
hours of enjoying the view, the silence, and the feeling of his
arms around me, Brad puts his arm around my shoulder and leads us
down.

We’re both quiet as we make our way
back to the car. I’m so happy I feel like tiny bright stars are
surrounding my heart. But it’s not the stars, it’s Brad. My mind is
soaking him in. He’s incredibly endearing and I feel so lucky when
I think about the hoards of women that flow in and out of his shop
every day that would kneel at his feet. For some reason, he chose
me. The thought makes me smile.

Brad opens the door and helps me in.
Just before he starts the car, he leans in, lifts my chin, and
gently brushes his lips against mine. His mouth lingers, leaving me
wanting more. A lot more. Then, flashing that dimpled smile I’ve
grown to love, he starts the engine and we head back.

James Taylor’s voice croons softly,
singing about smiling faces, fire & rain, and being the only
one. With my head back on the seat and my hand in Brad’s, I feel a
wonderful sense of peace, like this is where I’m meant to be. We
ride in comfortable silence back to my apartment. Brad puts the car
in park and comes around to open my door, ever the gentleman. I
find myself fumbling with my fingers and staring nervously at my
toes.

He gently places his hands on either
side of my cheeks and lifts my eyes to his. “I had a wonderful time
tonight, Gabby. Thank you.” His gaze is so intense it makes me want
to look away, but I can’t.

I look deep into his eyes. “I did,
too.”

He stares down at my mouth and then
slowly presses his lips to mine. My lips part, and our tongues
tangle ever so briefly before he pulls away. “Goodnight, sweet
Gabby.”

“
Goodnight.”

I run into the apartment, anxious to
tell Fran all about my night. I drop my purse to the ground and
sprint down our tiny hallway, pushing through her door. I use her
bed as a trampoline until she bolts upright and I realize she’s not
alone. Rubbing her eyes furiously, she points to the spot next to
her.

I see Kyle’s honey blonde hair poking
out from the blanket. “Gosh, Fran, I’m so sorry!”

“
Shhhh…it’s okay,” she
whispers. “Let’s go in the other room.”

“
Sorry, Kyle,” I hiss,
scampering into the kitchen.

She pours a glass of water, then sits
down, pawing at her eyes furiously to try and wake up. “So, spill
it, sister, how was the date?”

“
It was amazing Fran. I
feel like I’m walking on clouds.” I’m pretty sure I have a
ridiculous grin plastered to my face and I’m giddily rocking back
and forth on my heels. If Kyle wasn’t sleeping, I’d be squealing
like a teenager right now.

Fran looks at me with raised eyebrows
and a cunning smile. “So, did you kiss?”

My face comes alive. “Yup.”

“
And…”

“
Hmmm…” I stare dreamily
into space, recalling the strength of his arms and the softness of
his lips.

“
You’re holding back on me!
What was it like? I want details!”

“
It was hot.”

“
Yeah?” She smiles eagerly
and gives me a tiny swat on the arm. “Come on, tell me!”

I sigh. “But it was also sweet, and
sexy, and tender.” Another sigh escapes. “And…romantic.”

“
Whoa…seriously?”

“
I don’t know, Fran. I was
so nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect because Brad’s so
unassuming. But the way he kissed me was anything but
unassuming.”

Fran smiles confidently. “I knew there
was a tiger behind that dimple.”

I twirl my hair around my finger.
“Well, I’m going to bed now.”

“
Gee, thanks a lot. Now
that you woke me up and made me all flustered.”

“
So go wake up Kyle. I’m
sure he can help you out with that.” I giggle and practically float
down the hall to my room.

“
Goodnight,
Fran.”

“
Goodnight,
sweetie.”

I pull on my sweatpants and a soft
cotton tank and climb into bed feeling hyper. So much so that I
just can’t get to sleep. I keep replaying the kiss over and over in
my head. The kiss that made my heart dance. My phone buzzes and
snaps me from my train of thought. It’s Brad. Sigh.

Brad: You still
awake?

Me: Yeah

Brad: I can’t
sleep

Me: Me neither

Brad: I wish I hadn’t
left

Me: Me too

Brad: Your kiss made my
heart flutter

Did he seriously just say that? I feel
a squeal coming on.

Me: Mine is still
fluttering

Brad: Goodnight
Gabby

Me: Goodnight

With that, I fall into a peaceful
sleep.

***

It’s
Monday, and it doesn’t suck anymore. I wake up to the sound of
heavy raindrops pounding on my windows. I love the rain. I love the
sound of it, the feel of it as it falls lazily onto my skin, the…my
alarm goes off, but I smack it silent, allowing myself to drift
back to last night…to Brad. Just thinking about him makes my
insides melt. He completely dazzled me and I feel as though I’ve
fallen under his spell. My phone buzzes and I grab it quickly,
thinking it might be him. As soon as I see Dane’s name appear on
the screen, my smile disappears. Dragging this out is only going to
make things worse, so I reluctantly accept the call.

“
Hello,” I say with the
lack of enthusiasm I feel.

“
Hey, Gabby, it’s Dane.”
His voice sounds a bit apprehensive and I’m wondering if he can
read my thoughts. “I thought I was going to hear from you
yesterday?”

“
Yeah, sorry about that.
Fran and I just hung out and relaxed.”

“
I was wondering if I could
see you tonight?” His tone sounds a bit more desperate now that I
think about it, and it puts me on edge. It’s a familiar feeling
with Dane.

“
Yeah, we really need to
talk,” I reply with determination, dragging myself off the bed and
rifling through my closet.

“
Can you meet me in my room
at seven o’clock?”

There’s no way that’s happening.
“Let’s meet in the lobby restaurant,” I say casually.

“
Oh, okay. I’ll see you
then.”

“
See you later,
Dane.”

Ugh. I dread tonight. I
don’t want to hurt Dane, but I just don’t feel anything for him,
which sounds weird, even for me. I actually
want
to feel something. I mean, the
sex is incredible, yes, but it’s just not enough anymore. Shaking
off my nerves, I quickly hop in the shower so I have time for my
caffeine fix…and my Brad fix.

Everything looks so much brighter
today. The sky is a magnificent cobalt blue, the clouds look like
puffy white marshmallows, and I’m happy. Not the fake,
suck-it-up-and-put-a smile-on-your-face-happy. Really happy. For
the first time in a long time.

The only thing that makes me happier
is when I hear my favorite door jingle and see Brad. The moment his
eyes meet mine, I see the sunshine in his smile and it lights me up
inside. He leaves the counter and comes right over, his lips
landing softly on mine. “Good morning, beautiful.”

“
Good morning, yourself,” I
reply, my entire face beaming.

“
Do you do realize this is
a first for us?”

“
A first?” I answer with a
confused grin.

“
Our first kiss in my
shop.”

“
Oh, that, yes.” I chuckle
softly. “Well, I’ll cross that off my list.”

“
I was on your list?”
There’s a smile in his voice.

“
Well, yes, but I didn’t
know it.”

Grabbing my elbow, he escorts me to a
table and goes to make my drink. He’s back in a flash, taking a
seat beside me and handing me my Salted Caramel Mocha, extra
whipped cream. “So, I was thinking maybe we could catch a movie
tonight?”

I pick at my fingernails and look
down. “I can’t tonight, actually. I have something I have to do.
Listen, I want to be honest with you. I’m seeing Dane tonight.” A
frown spreads across his face and my heart sinks. Feeling the need
to immediately make it right, I continue. “It’s not a date. Really,
it’s not. I’m only meeting him tonight to tell him that I can’t see
him anymore.”

Brad’s mouth shows a hint of a smile.
“Really?”

“
Yes.” Reaching around my
drink, I place my hand in his, and he lets out a huge sigh of
relief.

My anxiety kicks in as I make my way
to Dane’s hotel. I don’t like confrontation and I don’t want to
hurt him, but the need to be honest outweighs it. The irony of this
whole situation makes me laugh. When I first saw Dane that day on
the street, all I could think about was how his hot body would feel
underneath me. If I’m honest, it was freaking amazing. At least
that’s what my body said; my head just couldn’t catch up. I’ve
tried to keep living on the edge; I’ve tried to be the one with no
emotion. But when I think of Brad, that’s the only thing I want. I
want emotion. I want to feel. Everything about him draws me in, and
I find myself wanting more. Definitely more kissing, at
least.

My body starts to heat just thinking
about Brad’s soft lips and his strong, muscular arms. Shaking off
the feeling, I head in to face Dane. When I see him in the lobby,
my heart stops for a moment, for no other reason than the fact that
he’s drop dead gorgeous. It’s hard not to notice him. The moment
his emerald eyes meet mine, guilt consumes me. When I reach him, he
comes closer to kiss my lips, and I offer him my cheek instead. His
forehead wrinkles in confusion, which intensifies my need to get to
the point.